Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check you or your child at regular visits to make sure this vaccine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Contact your doctor immediately if you or your child have sudden weakness or are not able to move your arms or legs. This could be a sign of a serious condition called Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

Check with your doctor right away if you have a cough, difficulty with swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives, itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue, shortness of breath, skin rash, tightness in the chest, unusual tiredness or weakness, or wheezing. These could be symptoms of an allergic reaction to the vaccine.

Syncope (fainting) may occur after receiving this vaccine. Your doctor may want you or your child to be observed for 15 minutes after you get the injection to prevent and manage fainting.

This vaccine may cause apnea (breathing stops for short periods) in some premature infants. Discuss this with your child's doctor if you are concerned.

It is important that your doctor should know about all other vaccines you or your child have recently received, including a flu shot.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicines that weaken your immune system such as cancer medicines, radiation treatment, or steroids.

It is important to tell your doctor if you become pregnant. Your doctor may want you to join a pregnancy registry for patients receiving this vaccine.

This vaccine will not prevent diphtheria, and will not treat symptoms of meningococcal infection if you already have the disease.